Is this bad? Can I put it back together and not worry about it because I honestly don't have to money for a new cam.

 

that's don't look good.... but, the pic is a tad small, can you upload something larger?

 

I tried uploading a bigger one it wouldn't let me. Basically it looks like someone kinda sorta took a grinder to that lobe it looks beat to hell but it's just that one lobe.

 

if you can feel it on the lobe, the cam is toast.

 

Well geez thanks for the awful news!!! I just got the timing cover and everything back on. If i were to replace the cam what all would I need?

 

Also do you have any idea what caused this? I bought the motor used and really have no idea on its history.

 

That cam is toast, as for replacement parts you will need, intake gaskets, all timming cover gaskets, cam, lifters, oil, oil filter, and about 5hrs time to swap the cam. Remember that the truck might have to go to a dealer after the new cam is installed to have the fuel sync set back up. Look for a used cam and lifters if you are broke, no it's not the right way but it can be done.

 

Check the litters befOre you buy new ones. You can use your originals if they're ok. By looking at the pic of that lobe id say that lifter will probably look similar though.

 

was it running before you took it apart?
was it making a lot of noise?
how long has it been doing it?

if it was running, and if it wasn't knocking like hell, and if its been like that for a while.... then you might be able to run it awhile longer. i wouldn't drive across country though.

 

Put a bigger picture on photobucket, and then link it here.

I can't see it clearly, but it may not be unusable.

roller cams aren't as finicky as flat tappet cams. My cam had a burr on it from the factory, found it when I tried to swap cams two years ago.. There was no way that it happened in the engine due to the nature of the damage, it appeared to have been dropped right on the lobe. Drove out like that for 85,000 miles before I noticed it. Roller on that lifter barely had any scratches on it.

I sanded it down just a bit to smooth it out just a bit. Might have lost a couple thousandths of an inch of lift on that lobe, but oh well. Your picture is so small I can't see clear detail to advise well, I dont know if those are indents or pits.